Electrical circuit with alarm control device for alarm clocks



Aug. 24, 1937. P. N. JOHNSON 2,091,205

ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WITH ALARM CONTROL DEVICE FOR ALARM CLOCKQ Filed Sept. 24, 1956 1 /1171)? Jbfinson Patented Aug. 24, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WITHALARM CON- TROL DEVICE FOR ALARM CLOCKS 3 Claims.

This invention relates to an electrical circuitin conjunction with a special type of alarm control device in an alarm clock and it aims to provide a novel construction embodying parts all contained within the clock case, for illuminating the clock dial incidental to setting of the alarm, which illuminating means is adapted to be extinguished upon shutting off the alarm.

It is further aimed to provide a novel means permitting illumination of the clock dial at any time, as an auxiliary feature.

The more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with accompanying drawing illustrating an operative embodiment.

In said drawing:-

Figure 1 is a rear view of a clock embodying my invention, and shown in section on a plane substantially as indicated at l--l in Figure 2, to disclose details;

Fi ure 2 is a side elevation of said clock, broken away to disclose details, and

Figure 3 is a diagram of the electric circuit 5 employed.

Referring specifically to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like or similar parts, a conventional clock case is illustrated at l0 equipped with clockworks at H of any desired form, having an alarm mechanism as at l2, the mechanism being conventional and specifically constituting no part of my invention. However it has a bell or alarm at l3, and an actuating wheel M, rotatable to actuate the clapper for the bell, and the spring of which mechanism is adapted to be wound by a. key l5, preferably removable, and including four prongs l6 which extend interiorly of the clock case.

The present invention includes an electric lamp I! suitably located within the clock case and adapted to be illuminated when the alarm is set and to stay lit until the alarm goes off and also until the alarm is shut off to illuminate the dial of the clock to facilitate observation. Lamp IT is detachably connected in a suitable socket l8 and conductors l9 and 20 are connected to the terminals thereof, one leading from a battery or batteries as at 2|, having one end or terminal at 22, grounded to the metal clock case 5 H]. The other conductor 20 terminates in a contact 23 positioned rigidly in place by straps 24 secured to the clockworks II.

Said lamp may be illuminated at any desired time, through the pushing of a switch button 25, 35 located in the front of the clock case, and mounted in a socket or cylinder 26 fastened to the clock case. An expansive spring 21 normally urges the switch to open position. It has a stem 28 and a contact 29, which engages contacts 30, mounted on a suitable insulated support 3| fastened to 5 the case. Said switch is normally open.

A shut-off device for the alarm mechanism is employed at 32 and it consists of a vertical rod 33 slidably mounted in the clock case by means of straps 34 fastened to the works II or other 10 suitable parts.

At the top, rod 33 has a lateral extension 35 and a downwardly extending rod 3B preferably capped by a knob 31. Said rod 36 is slidable vertically in the clock case into and out of the path 1 of movement of a lateral projection or pin 38 carried by the wheel 14.

Said arm 33 at its lower end is U-shaped as at 38' and the shorter portion has a resilient contact strip 39 fastened thereto.

It should be borne in mind that the light circuit is not closed when setting the alarm if the alarm is wound first before pulling up on the plunger.

A contact bar 40 is fastened rigidly as by means of a rivet 42 to the works ll.

Normally the alarm mechanism is shut off with the bar 33 and associated parts depressed until the knob 31 engages the top of the clock case and the rod 36 is in the path of movement of the pin 38, thus preventing any movement of the alarm mechanism. Also when the contact blade 39 is in the dotted line position of Figure 1 the plane of said blade crosses the plane of the contact bar 40 intermediate the ends of the latter but the blade 39 is not in contact therewith, the upper end ll of blade 39 being offset laterally from the blade 40. In releasing the alarm mechanism for setting thereof, the bar 33 and connected parts are raised to the full line position 40 shown in Figures 1 and 2, the rod 36 freeing the projection 38 and during such elevation of rod 33, a shoulder 4| engages the contact 40, placing the free end thereof under tension, such contact 40 being fastened at one end 42 to the works II. An offset guard projection 4| on blade 39 extends above shoulder 4|. Thereafter, when key I5 is rotated, the adjacent prong l6, into the path of movement of which spring contact 39 has been elevated, will engage the latter, move it laterally out of engagement with the shoulder 4|, the contact 40 springing back to normal position, abutting one side of the contact blade 39 as shown in full lines in Figures 1 and 3, engaging it with the contact 23 and maintaining such engagement. As a result, an electric circuit is closed through the lamp i1, illuminating the dial or face of the clock. The illumination persists until the arm 33 and associated parts are again depressed, usually after the sounding of the alarm. Thus the light is lit when the alarm is set and it stays lit until the alarm goes oif and also until the alarm is shut oift It will be clear that in the winding of the spring for the alarm mechanism, that the prong it may readily pass the free end of the contact 39, displacing it since it is resilient.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:-

1. In combination with a clock having an alarm mechanism, a winding mechanism therefor, illuminating means for the clock, an electric circuit for the illuminating means, a movable shutoif device for the alarm mechanism, a contact in said circuit, a second contact, said movable shut-01f device having a contact blade normally disengaged from 'said contacts, said contact blade having a shoulder engageable with.the first contact to tension the latter when the shut-off device is moved to released position, said blade in the latter position extending into the path of winding movement of a part of the winding mechanism whereby the contact blade will be moved beyond one end of the first mentioned contact and into engagement with the second mentioned contact, with the first mentioned contact returning to normal position and maintaining the blade in engagement with both contacts.

2. In combination with a clock having an alarm mechanism, a winding mechanism therefor, illuminating means for the clock, an electric circuit i or the illuminating means, a movable shutdevice for the alarm mechanism, a contact in said circuit, a second contact, said movable shut- 01? device having a contact blade normally disengaged from said contacts, said contact blade having a shoulder engageable with the first contact to tension the latter when the shut-oil device is moved to released position, said blade in the latter position extending into the path of winding movement of a part of the winding mechanism whereby the contact blade will be moved beyond one end of the first mentioned contact and into engagement with the second mentioned contact, with the first mentioned contact returning to normal position and maintaining the blade in engagement with both contacts, said shut-off device having a depending rod, and said alarm mechanism including a rotatable part having a projection into the path of movement of which said rod is adapted to extend.

3. In combination with clockworks having an alarm mechanism including a rotatable part provided with a projection, a key for winding said mechanism having a stud, a vertically movable arm provided with a depending rod adapted for disposition in the path of movement of said projection to shut off the alarm, an upwardly extending resilient contact blade on said arm having a shoulder, illuminating means for the dial of the clock, an electric circuit means within the clock for said illuminating means having a resilient contact' and a second contact, the firstcontact in the raised position of said arm being engaged and tensioned by said shoulder, said contact blade being engageable by said stud when in the raised position -to slide it off the first contact so that the latter will intercept its return to normal position and will maintain it in engagement with thesecond contact, said contact blade being in contact with the resilient contact after said resilient contact is slid oif the shoulder of the contact blade. i

- PHILIP N. JOHNSON. 

